The pictures set out below this commentary were taken in May 2012 and posted on Saturday, May 26, 2012 under the title Conor’s Autism Reality: From Joy To Self Injurious Behavior In A Flash. I was taking these pictures of Conor enjoying a swing on the playground of his old grade school, Nashwaaksis Memorial School. It was early Saturday morning, no one else was around; there were no loud noises or disturbances. The weather was pleasantly cool and mild. Conor was loving his time on the swing and then … just like that … he was engaged in self injurious behavior . . . → Read More: Facing Autism Symptoms in New Brunswick: Autism Self Injury and Aggression Can Occur Quickly With No External Provocation

As an autism advocate in Canada I am very familiar with Michelle Dawson’s angry rhetoric in which she attacks autism organizations advocating for autism treatment for autistic children. She has campaigned vigorously and persistently against provision in Canada of ABA services for autism disorders. With the recent horror in Colorado many people have, rightly in my opinion, criticized Joe Scarborough for his irresponsible linking, even if unintended, of autism disorders to the alleged perpetrator of the massacre. I was curious to see what different high profile autism commentators were saying on the issue and was startled, even given Ms Dawson’s . . . → Read More: Facing Autism in New Brunswick: The Aurora Horror and Michelle Dawson’s Bizarre Anti Autism Advocacy Rhetoric

It is hard to believe that in 2012 a government agency with responsibilities for the provision or administration of health care could take the position that ABA is an “unproven” treatment for autism. That was the justification though of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in refusing to provide Medicaid coverage for ABA treatment for three persons with autism. As reported by the Miami Herald US Federal Judge Joan Lenard disagreed and ordered the FAHCA to provide the Medicaid coverage for the applied behavior analysis treatment: “U.S. Judge Joan Lenard ruled Friday that applied behavioral analysis . . . → Read More: Facing Autism in New Brunswick: US Federal Judge: ABA Proven and Highly Effective Treatment of Children with Autism